Question about kitchen cabinets.

[fidelfs]

Hi guys,

I am a newbie and got a question about the kitchen cabinets.  I went to my local HD store and went looking for cabinets to get ideas, dimensions, finishes, etc.
I am planning to build my kitchen cabinets pretty soon!  (Wish me luck, I will need it).

I was looking at the KraftMaid in stock and I was not impressed with the finish.  I cannot describe what they look to me but I will try.  The finish look dull, flat, I am not really talking about the sheen or maybe I am.  What I am trying to say is that I build some maple cabinets (my favorite wood) for my laundry room and I used only tung oil.

The wood looks more alive, even I didn't apply any lacquer, poly or anything like that (Did I mention I am a newbie  ;D ).  I didn't know maple will  blotch so the surface has different blotch levels, but even that the wood of my laundry cabinets looks alive and better.

Is the kraftMaid or others how a fine kitchen cabinet should look? what am I missing?  I don't want super glossy but I want something better, I guess.

I hope I make sense to you guys.

 

[sw1211]

Have you checked out their web site to see how they finish?  You could check that and then if you don't like it don't do what they do, or maybe you'll find one you like the looks of and can copy that. 

http://www.kraftmaid.com/doorsfinishes/index.cfm?navigationid=36200

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

We have a Kraftmade plant in NE Ohio... I would say don't count on what you are seeing as being wood.  They use plastic parts and contact paper like coverings on some of their cabinets from what I have heard.  Probably try to blend it all together with the finish...

Get a Bob Flexner or Jeff Jewitt book on finishing and that should help you out a lot.  My friend finishes most of his kitchens he builds with a catalized lacquer that is sprayed...two coats with scuff sanding in between.  You can see the look here... http://www.smdcabinets.com/

Best,
Todd

 

[fidelfs]

Notorious,

I think you nailed it.  I couldn't put into words, but what you describe is similar at what I saw.  They look liked paper finish or plastic looking.  I guess that is what I noticed too.

I was worry because I thought I had to match that look, but your friend website shows some cabinet and they are how I would expect to see them.

Thanks,

Fidel

 

[butzla]

Off topic,  If you are a newbie woodworker and building kitchen cabinets for the first time, a great resource is Jim Tolpin's,  Building Traditional Kitchen Cabinets.  I built my first kitchen back in '96 I had about a dozen books on the subject but once I read this one, I gave the rest away.  Very easy to follow, I can't say enough about it.

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Marc Sommerfeld's video series on building cabinets, doors and stuff seems to be well done.  Focuses on his cutters but can be adapted to other cutters and even shaper based methods too.

The book mentioned above is also very good too...

Todd

 

[mastercabman]

What you most likely saw is the cheap line they offer.
Particle board side with some kind of paper veneer?I deal with those cabinets a lot!
Sometime i install 1/4" overlay to make it look nicer.
But how was the finish on the doors? Was it the same as the sides of the cabinet?
If you use maple plywood for your project and use a good finish,then you will get a good looking result.
Catalyzed Lacquer is used a lot on cabinets.(clear or paint).